Insider believes Commanders will move at least one former first-rounder

The NFL trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and according to one insider, at least one former Washington Commanders first-round pick could be on the move ahead of Oct. 31. 

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Commanders have "made calls," gauging interest in defensive linemen Chase Young and Montez Sweat, both playing on expiring contracts. 

Russini added that how the 3-3 Commanders fare over the next two weeks will significantly affect whether or not the team decides to trade them.

"The sense I get out of Washington is one of them will be on the move … if Washington can get the proper compensation," Russini wrote. 

Conversely, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that, for now, the Commanders see both Young and Sweat as part of their future. However, an AFC executive believes Washington would listen to offers and "potentially consider them." 

Still, the sources Fowler spoke with think Young and Sweat will still be Commanders once the clock strikes 4 p.m. EST on Halloween. 

"As one source told me, betting odds on one or both being dealt should not be great," Fowler wrote. "So, my sense is they don't plan to trade them." 

Fowler added that the belief from around the league is that the most likely trade candidate out of the two players would be Young, mainly because he seems more willing to finish his deal and test the open market in free agency. Meanwhile, there's a high possibility that Sweat will sign an extension with the team or return in 2024 on the franchise tag. 

Young, when healthy, has been productive. The second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Young has played in five games (starting four), recording three sacks, 11 tackles (three for loss) and seven quarterback hits.

As for Sweat, selected 26th overall by the Commanders in 2019, he has started all six games for Washington in 2023, registering 4.5 sacks, 20 tackles (six for loss) and nine QB hits. 

Either player would instantly help a team needing help at pass-rusher, so it should be interesting to see how things play out over the next 10 days. 

Washington has two NFC East rivals on their schedule over the next two weeks, traveling to MetLife Stadium Sunday to take on the New York Giants (1-5) before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) in Week 8. 

It wouldn't be hard to see the Commanders split those two games, which might make their decisions on Young and Sweat even more challenging.